Devan Tang did it easy - so easy, he wasn't even here when the opening hand was dealt today. The first Macau Poker Cup Championship (MPCC) Main Event title has been decided after the 32-year-old poker pro from Hong Kong running roughshod over the final table to pocket the first prize of HKD $727,600 (almost USD $940,000).

The winner of the MPCC Knockout Bounty event earlier this week, Tang was still preparing for the tournament when the order was given to "shuffle up and deal", but duly dispatched two players in the first hand he contested.

It wasn't all one-way traffic as he went blow-for-blow with American Vincent Chung at the final table, but Tang landed the killer blow three-handed and used his 5:1 chip advantage to quickly dispatch Taipei's Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang for the first major title of his poker career.

With an impish gleam in his eye, Tang described himself as an "online fish" but we suspect that's a little short of the truth. He mixed aggression with skill to be the dominant player on day two after the field of 158 had been slashed to 19 after the opening day.

Devan Tang's victory came when Michael Chang shoved all-in with the board showing [10d] [kc] [8s] [3h]. He showed [ad] [qs] for an inside straight but Tang held a made hand with [as] [kh]. The [6c] on the river confirmed Devan Tang as the inaugural Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event winner.

This completes a highly successful MPCC, which was the culmination of a week-long festival of poker at PokerStars Macau and follows the bi-monthly Red Dragon events that have become a mainstay of the regional poker calendar.

Joining Tang among the big winners this week was Taipei's Kitty Kuo, who was crowned the first Asian Player of the Year. Kuo's triumph should rightly be lauded among the most impressive achievements of a female poker player in recent years.

Once again, the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino has been the backdrop for another historic step in the growth of poker in Asia as the game gains a foothold in the world's biggest gaming market.

It's been a massive weekend in Macau as this Special Administrative Region celebrated the 10th anniversary of its return to China, so it was only fitting that such an important week for poker conclude on this day.

As Devan Tang soaks up the adulation of his MPCC victory, it's appropriate to acknowledge the efforts of the PokerStars Macau and the local PokerStars.net teams for making this event such a major success.

This ends another year of poker on Asia-Pacific circuit. Our next commitment will be the opening event on season two of the PokerStars.net ANZPT in Adelaide from February 9. Happy holidays to all; see you in 2010.

11.50pm: Tang v Chang for the title

Vincent Chung's prediction that it would be he and Devan Tang going heads-up proved a hex on the American as he bowed out of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event in third.

With 350,000 in the pot pre-flop, Chung bet 200,000 on the flop of [jh] [8s] [7s], Tang announced he was all-in and Chung made the call, showing [6d] [6s]. But Tang flipped over [9c] [10h] for the nuts, and when the turn fell [3h], Chung was drawing dead.

So that leaves Devan Tang holding 2,563,000 and a 5:1 chip lead over Michael Chang (498,000) as the heads-up duel begins.

Live updates from the final table, level 19 (12,000-24,000, ante 4000) of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest chip counts can be found by clicking here.

11.30pm: Tang turns it around

With so many breaks, it feels like the never-ending level ... the chip lead is back with Devan Tang after an intriguing hand with Vincent Chung. There was about 150,000 in the middle and both players had checked the flop of [kd] [10s] [9s]. The turn came the [4d], Chung checked, Tang bet 50,000, Chung made it 150,000 and Tang re-raised to 450,000 total. Chung was none too happy to let his hand go as he slumped to 950,000 and Tang soared to 1.7 million.

11.15pm: Wing Bor Cheng eliminated in fourth-place, HKD $252,500

Wing Bor "Paul" Cheng has just completed his exit interview after making his final move of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event final table.

Cheng called the all-in of Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang, who had him covered, and showed [qh] [jh]. Chang flipped over [ad] [jc] and sealed the deal on a board that flowed [2d] [ah] [10c] [8s] [4h].

We're down to three players, with the American youngster Vincent Chung leading on 1,518,000 from Hong Kong's Devan Tang with 1,056,000 while Taipei's Michael Chang remains in the hunt on 600,000.

11pm: Chung's tournament to lose

The pendulum has swung back in favour of Vincent Chung after he took down a massive pot against former chip leader Devan Tang. There was betting on every street as the board flowed [10c] [7s] [3h] [jc] [5d], Tang bet 100,000 but Chung slammed back over the top with a bet of 280,000. That put Tang back in his seat, and he made a reluctant fold to gift the chip lead back to the player on his immediate right.

10.40pm: Bryan Huang eliminated in fifth place, HKD $200,500

His chips seemed to spend more time over the betting line than behind it, but Bryan Huang has carried his short stack all the way to an impressive fifth in the first Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event.

The PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro's last stand came with [jh] [10s] against the [ks] [qs] of Devan Tang. The flop of [7d] [9h] [5s] gave Huang an inside straight draw, but the turn [5h] and river [ac] were no good for Huang and he was out in fifth.

10.20pm: Lighting up the sky

The largest fireworks display in Macau's history has just ended to mark the 10th anniversary of Macau's return to China. We're experiencing our fair share of fireworks in the Grand Lisboa Casino with 56,000 in blinds and antes to pick up on each hand.

We're into level 19 of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event, with the blinds up to 12,000/24,000 and an ante of 4000. Bryan Huang has been main beneficiary so far this level, with three pre-flop all-in shoves met with no interest.

However, it's Vincent Chung back in the lead on 1.24 million after taking down a nice pot with a pre-flop re-raise against Wing Bor "Paul" Cheng. Devan Tang is down to 950,000 while Cheng (370,000), Michael Chang (350,000) and Bryan Huang (275,000) are looking for a spot to make a move.

10pm: Yong Hyun Yoo eliminated in sixth place, HKD $163,400

It was hardly surprising that Yong Hyun "James" Yoo and Wing Bor "Paul" Cheng eventually butted heads with barely a hand passing without one or the other pushing all-in.

It came just after the dinner break when Yoo pushed all-in with [ah] [9h] and Cheng called, showing [qs] [js]. The flop hit both players, but Cheng had the better of the [qh] [9s] [4s], and it was all over for Yoo when the [7s] landed on the turn, with a meaningless [4c] on the river.

Devan Tang leads narrowly on 1,048,000 from Vincent Chung on 1,010,000, followed by Cheng on 640,000, Chang with 390,000 and Bryan Huang holding 210,000.

Live updates from the final table, level 18 (10,000-20,000, ante 3000) of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest chip counts can be found by clicking here.

9pm: Welcome to the party

As we tick down to the dinner break on day two of the Macau Poker Cup Championship, the blinds are starting bite as hard as a saltwater croc. The two least-active players at the final table, Korea's Yong Hyun "James" Yoo and Wing Bor "Paul" Cheng from Hong Kong, have awoken from their relative slumber and have joined the pre-flop frenzy.

The big raises are enough to scoop most pots, but Devan Tang just caught the Korean with his fingers in the cookie jar when he shoved over the top of Yoo's pre-flop raise. His all-in, and Yoo's fold, was enough to win a pot of more than 600,000.

8.40pm: Tang talks it up for the TV

Players are back from a 10-minute break due to TV commitments, with the remaining six players now spread evenly around the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event final table.

We're actually looking forward to seeing the footage as Devan Tang is proving a real talent in the chat department. There hasn't been a lot of table-talk, but Tang has been quick with the one-liners. Unfortunately, some of his best work is heading for the floor of the editing suite.

And for those who like a bit of variety, the last three songs on Grand Lisboa FM have featured Michael Bublé, The Prodigy and the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey; never a boring moment.

8.15pm: Yew Fatt Kan eliminated in seventh place, HKD $133,700

Vincent Chung is off the canvas and throwing haymakers, like the one that just KOed Yew Fatt "Raiden" Kan in seventh place. After minimum pre-flop action, Raiden shoved all-in after the flop came [9s] [jh] [5c]. Chung called in an instant, and showed [4d] [4c].

Outs opened up for Raiden with the [jc] on the turn, but the river [8s] brought no joy as he exited the MPCC Main Event. Credit to Vincent Chung for his astute read and gutsy call with three overcards on the flop - the young man has some serious game, and a big chip lead on 1.32 million, more than double that of the next player.

8pm: Huang hangin' on

The hunter has become the hunted with Bryan Huang playing aggressively to stave off the wolves camped at his doorstep. The short stack of the last remaining PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro is being eyed greedily by the other six players, but all-in shoves over the top of raises has been enough to keep the Singaporean alive in the MPCC Main Event.

Devan Tang has just been involved in another big post-flop tussle, this time with the man to his immediate right, Vincent Chung. We're not sure about Vincent's claims of working as a dishwasher, but he cleaned up a big pot when he turned the nut straight to regain much of the ground he'd lost earlier in the final table.

Live updates from the final table, level 17 (8000-16,000, ante 2000) of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest chip counts can be found by clicking here.

7.45pm: Tang goes bang on Chang

Level 17 ended with one of the few pots that went to showdown with without an all-in bet, and the action was tasty between Devan Tang and Chun Chieh Chang. After betting on every street, Tang bet 80,000 on the board of [5h] [10h] [ks] [jd] [3s].

Chang again couldn't decide, so spun the card protector, it came up paint and he called. Tang showed [kd] [10d] for two-pair, Chang tapped the table in acknowledgment and sent his cards into the muck. The pot was worth 270,000 between the two chip leaders, and sent Tang to the top of the count.

7.30pm: Tae Joon Noh eliminated in eighth place, HKD $104,000

PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Tae Joon Noh was all-in again, and Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang was clearly interested in making the call for an extra 115,000. So he flipped his card protector, and made the call.

The Korean was in reasonable shape holding [as] [jd] against his Taipei opponent's [kd] [6d], and the flop of [ad] [ac] [7d] brought something for everyone. Chang took the lead when he filled his flush on the turn [9d], but Tae Joon Noh had several outs for a full-house.

The [3c] wasn't one of them, and the emerging young star was out eighth, just three spots short of winning the Asian Player of the Year title, which will now be awarded to Taipei's Kitty Kuo.

7.10pm: Raise, fold, raise, fold, raise, fold

"And he takes the blinds and antes," APPT tournament director Danny McDonagh said for the umpteenth time this level with the remaining eight players content to shuffle chips among themselves during level 17 of the MPCC Main Event final table.

But the lack of action hasn't quelled the audience's interest with the bleachers around the final table still packed, and curious onlookers still popping past to see what all the fuss is about. And they've got the Ricky Martin soundtrack to enjoy in the background!

Live updates from the final table, level 16 (6000-12,000, ante 1000) of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest chip counts can be found by clicking here.

6.30pm: Daren Yoon eliminated in ninth place, HKD $89,100

Daren Yoon was unable to get much going at the MPCC Main Event final table and decided it was time to again commit his short stack just before the first break. But this time, Yew Fatt "Raiden" Kan decided to come along for the ride.

It was Yoon's [2d] [2h] in front of Raiden's [ah] [2c], until the flop fell [5h] [6s] [ad]. The board ran out [10d] [js], and the likeable Malaysian was out in ninth place.

6.15pm: Team Pro tops up

There's barely been a flop sighted in the past 30 minutes, with a pre-flop raise enough to scoop up most of the pots. Tae Joon Noh has exploited the lack of action to bolster his stack to 150,000 after starting the final table with only 52,000. It's been a gutsy display from the Korean PokerStars.net Team Asia player, who's been almost down and out on several occasions during the MPCC Main Event.

6pm: Bright sparks

Having spent so much time in casinos for the past few years, two questions spring to mind - who picks the carpet and who dresses the staff? Ticks all round for the décor here at the Grand Lisboa Casino, which could be described as "grandiose Casbah", but our sympathies to the security staff who have to pull on their bright - really bright - orange jackets each day. So much for the element of surprise.

5.45pm: Chung stung by Raiden

Vincent Chung's miserable start to the MPCC Main Event final table continues after losing another big pot, this time to Hong Kong's Yew Fatt "Raiden" Kan.

Chung was well ahead when he called Raiden's all-in with [qc] [qh]. But the flop fell [ac] [ad] [8s] to make trips for the Malaysian-born player's [ah] [qh]. The turn [6d] and river [7c] didn't improve Chung's hand as he slumped to 340,000 while Raiden is up to 315,000.

And to make matters worse for Chung, the Pussycat Dolls are blaring over the PA system at the Grand Lisboa for the 400th time today - sometimes life sucks.

Live updates from the final table, level 15 (4000-8000, ante 1000) of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest chip counts can be found by clicking here.

5.30pm: Huang back in the hunt

Bryan Huang is back in the hunt after taking down a pot worth more than 520,000. The PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro shoved all-in over the top of Vincent Chung's pre-flop raise, with the American making the call.

The Singaporean was in great shape with [ad] [qc] against Chung's [qd] [8d], and it stayed that way on a board that fell [5c] [5h] [6s] [3d] [7h]. That propelled Huang into the top four while Chung slips back to the field on just over 500,000.

5.15pm: Double-up, but Tae Joon needs more

Tae Joon Noh is grimly clinging to his tournament life, but just received a timely transfusion of chips when his pocket jacks held up against the pocket nines of Daren Yoon. That took the PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro up to 65,000, but still in a world of hurt.

Vincent Chung has overtaken Devan Tang at the top of the chip count to lead on 760,000, ahead of Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang on 600,000 and Tang on 500,000. However, the chips remain evenly spread among the top five so a dominant player is yet to emerge.

5pm: Ming Fang eliminated in 10th place, HKD $74,300

It took just two hands for the first player to be sent on his way from the MPCC Main Event final table. Short-stacked Ming Fang thought he was in good shape when he shoved with pocket queens, only to find Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang holding pocket aces. Neither hand improved on the board of [jd] [jc] [7h] [8c] [9s], and Fang was out in 10th, while Chang closed on leaders Devan Tang and Vincent Chung.

4.45pm: We're underway!

After a break for TV commitments and media interviews, the 10 players who'll contest the first Macau Poker Cup Championship final table have taken their seats. Blinds have been wound back two levels to 4000/8000 with an ante of 1000.

We've relocated from PokerStars Macau onto the main gaming floor in the Grand Lisboa Casino, and scores of interested onlookers have wandered over the see what all the fuss is about. Poker is again centre stage in Macau! The final table line-up is:

Devan Tang (Hong Kong) 610,000
Vincent Chung (USA) 573,000
Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang (Taipei) 499,000
Yong Hyun "James" Yoo (Korea) 396,000
Wing Bor "Paul" Cheng (Hong Kong) 326,000
Daren Yoon (Malaysia) 238,000
Bryan Huang (Singapore) PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro 194,000
Yew Fatt "Raiden" Kan (Hong Kong) 190,000
Ming Fang (China) 83,000
Tae Jun Noh (Korea) 52,000

Seat 1: Bryan Huang, Singapore, PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro (194,000 in chips): One of only a handful of players to have cashed in three APPT events, the 24-year-old also won the HKD $1000 buy-in event at the Macau Cup in July.

Seat 2: Vincent Chung, Turlock, CA, USA (573,000 in chips): A dishwasher from the USA, this 29-year-old was holidaying in the area and decided to try his luck in the MPCC. He's been playing poker for just two years.

Seat 3: Devan Tang, Hong Kong (610,000 in chips): Winner of the MPCC Knockout Bounty event earlier this week, this 32-year-old is a live tournament newcomer but brings plenty of online experience to his first major final table.

Seat 4: Ming Fang, Shanghai, China (83,000 in chips): A mild-mannered pharmacist from Shanghai, the 32-year-old has an amazing record of five final tables in just seven tournament starts at PokerStars Macau. He's been playing the game for more than four years.

Seat 5: Wing Bor "Paul" Cheng, Hong Kong (326,000 in chips): The elder statesmen at the final table, this PokerStars Macau regular stayed well and truly under the radar before charging into contention earlier today with some aggressive play.

Seat 6: Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang, Taipei (499,000 in chips): The sole survivor of the big Taiwanese contingent that entered the MPCC Main Event, he was the chip leader at the start of day two and carefully picked his spots to build an impressive stack

Seat 7: Daren Yoon, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia (238,000 in chips): One of Malaysia's foremost poker figures, the ex-pat Australian is well known in poker circles but is making a rare major tournament start and hoped to break through for his first major title.

Seat 8: Tae Jun Noh, Seoul, Korea (52,000 in chips): This Korean youngster made his debut in the 2008 APPT Manila Main Event, and finished second. If he finishes fifth or better, he will be named Asian Player of the Year.

Seat 9: Yong Hyun "James" Yoo, Seoul, Korea (396,000 in chips): This quietly spoken Korean player chipped up late yesterday and rarely looked threatened in the lead-up to his first major final table appearance, picking off plenty of short stacks along the way.

Seat 10: Yew Fatt "Raiden" Kan, Hong Kong (190,000 in chips): Splitting his time between Malaysia and Hong Kong, he's a regular at the Hong Kong Poker House and won a spot at this final table the hard way, nursing a short stack for much of the tournament.

Live updates from day 2 of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event brought to you by Sean Callander from the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino. Click refresh to see the latest updates below, while the latest chip counts can be found by clicking here.

2.45pm: Tae Jun takes a tumble

The hopes of PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Tae Jun Noh winning the Asian Player of the Year title have taken a nosedive after he was almost felted by Victor Chen. The Korean youngster made the call with Q-10 against the A-6 of Chen, which duly held up. That left him with less than 40,000 in chips.

Meanwhile, Vincent Chung won a massive pot against the other PokerStars.net Team Asia player Bryan Huang when his [ac] [9c] made a better two-pair against Huang's [qd] [js] on a board that flowed [qh] [ad] [6c] [jd] [6d]. Chung is up to 600,000, while Huang dropped to 210,000.

2.20pm: We're on the final table bubble

It's been more than 30 minutes since the elimination of Tran Linh at the hands of Yong Hyun "James" Yoo in 12th, and a spot on the final table seems to be holding more allure than actually cashing in the 2009 MPCC Main Event as play has tightened up considerably.

On table one, the short stacks have been content to shove pre-flop and pick up the blinds and antes (there have been double-ups for Victor Chen and Paul Cheng) while on table six, where most of the chips reside, there've been plenty of flops but few big pots played.

1.40pm: Chung tops the count

Vincent Chung of the USA is the new chip leader after sending popular PokerStars Macau identity Hung Tu "All-in Henry" Wang to the rail in 14th. Chung sent his pocket nines to work against the K-9 of Wang, and the eight-high board sent Chung above 400,000 in chips.

Kitson Kho followed soon after when Daren Yoon flopped a set of sevens against A-J, which left Kho with less than a small blind. He limped out a couple of hands later. That leaves 12 players chasing one of 10 spots at the final table.

1.15pm: Big slick earns big split

It was the biggest pot of the tournament, and ended with the elimination of Matt Schwarmann in 15th and the spoils shared between Devan Tang and Chun Chieh Chang.

Schwarmann pushed all-in from early position, with calls from Tang and Chun. The flop fell [8s] [9s] [jh], it went check-check and the turn came [kc]. Tang bet 50,000, Chun shoved all-in and Tang called.

It was the red fours of Schwarmann against the [ac] [kh] of Chun and Tang's [ah] [kd]. There was no tiebreaking four for the American (river [9h] as the pot was shared between Chun and Tang.

1pm: Better late than never

Devan Tang arrived just in time to eliminate two players on the same hand - PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Raymond Wu and Canadian Rafi Istanbulian - to double his starting stack of 160,000 early on day two in the MPCC Main Event.

Wu and Istanbulian will be scored in equal 16th-place. Nigel Jones was eliminated in 18th, leaving 15 players in contention for a spot at the final table, and Singapore's Bryan Huang in the chip lead on 375,000.

12.30pm: All air for Fan

Terry Fan was confirmed as the 19th-place finisher when he shoved all-in on the first hand of the day, and PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Bryan Huang was happy to resume hostilities with his Taiwanese adversary. It was Fan's pocket eights against the K-10 of Huang, which found a pair of 10s on the turn to send Fan on his way.

Kitson Kho arrived just in time for the redraw of the remaining 18 players, but we're yet to see Devan Tang, whose blinds and antes are being greedily eaten up on table one.

The thought of having a top-20 line-up of players from China, Hong Kong, Korea, Malaysia, Taipei, the USA, Canada and the UK in a major international poker tournament would have been unthinkable as little as two years ago.

But that's the "league of nations" represented heading into the final day of play in the first Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event at the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino in Macau; the culmination of a week-long festival of poker to celebrate the end of the first full year of Macau Poker Cup events.

As the Macau Special Administrative Region prepares to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the return to China, another chapter in the history of the world's premier gaming location will be written today when the first MPCC Main Event champion is crowned.

The man in the box seat with 19 players remaining is Taipei's Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang on 364,00, although PokerStars.net Team Asia Pro Bryan Huang is snapping at his heels on 325,000.

Two other PokerStars.net Team Asia Pros will also be back today - Korea's Tae Jun Noh needs to finish fifth or higher to overtake Kitty Kuo in the race for Asian Player of the Year, while Raymond Wu is hoping for an early double-up as he brings the outright short stack into day two.

Whether it's a bowl of congee or a plate of bacon and eggs, players are taking on some fuel before play starts at 12.30pm local time today. We'll be starting in the magnificent PokerStars Macau facility before relocating to the TV table in the heart of the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino once the final nine are decided.

Day 2 seat draw

Table 1

Seat 1: Rafi Istanbulian (Canada) 85,000
Seat 3: Mathew Schwarmann (USA) 56,000
Seat 4: Vincent Chung (USA) 235,000
Seat 5: Victor Chen (Taipei) 212,000
Seat 6: Yinseng Devan Tan (Hong Kong) 143,000
Seat 7: Nigel Jones (UK) 113,000

Table 6

Seat 1: Terry Fan (Taipei) 101,000
Seat 3: Yong Hyun Yoo (Korea) 251,000
Seat 4: Ming Fang (China) 170,000
Seat 5: Bryan Huang (Singapore) Team PokerStars Asia 325,000
Seat 6: Hung Tu Wang (Taipei) 126,000
Seat 7: Kitson Kho (Hong Kong) 186,000
Seat 8: Wing Bor (Paul) Cheng (Hong Kong) 158,000

Table 7

Seat 2: Chun Chieh Chang (Taipei) 364,000
Seat 3: Tran Linh (Canada) 122,000
Seat 6: Tae Joon Noh (Korea) Team PokerStars Asia 201,000
Seat 7: Daren Yoon (Malaysia) 195,000
Seat 8: Raymond Wu (Taipei) Team PokerStars Asia 50,000
Seat 9: Yew Fatt Kan (Malaysia) 68,000

The Macau Poker Cup's reputation for high drama and swashbuckling poker was delivered in spades on day one of the Macau Poker Cup Championship Main Event at PokerStars Macau in the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino today.

The field of 158 players far exceeded expectations, and ensured a prizepool of almost HKD $3,000,000 in the MPC's first HKD $20,000 buy-in Main Event. And considering that the event is being held on the cusp of the holiday season, the line-up impressed both in terms of quantity and quality.

In addition to PokerStars.net Team Asia pros Tae Jun Noh, Celina Lin, Raymond Wu, Bryan Huang and Jonathan Lin, the line-up included several players with APPT final tables under their belts and the best of the best from the 2009 MPC.

The real action started after dinner when the structure really started to bite and stacks of all sizes came under considerable pressure. After the elimination of Ivan and Geoff Pringle, Ming Wang was confirmed as the bubble finisher after Darren Yoon's K-Q paired on the river against Ming Fang's flopped pair of sixes.

After almost 15 levels of 40 minutes, just 19 of the 158 starters remained with Chun Chieh "Michael" Chang holding the chip lead with 364,000. Others who'll be back tomorrow for the final day include PokerStars.net Team Asia trio Tae Jun Noh, Raymond Wu and Bryan Huang, Terry Fan, Winfred Yu plus former chip leaders Devin Tang and Henry Wang.

It's been a long but enthralling day here at PokerStars Macau. It's time for a nightcap at one of the Grand Lisboa Hotel and Casino's many bars, before returning at 12.30pm tomorrow for the race to the inaugural MPCC title.